Ben
(Editor's Note - trying out some new items on the blog. For what it is worth, this may help get me writing more and will, it is hoped, be a bit more entertaining for y'all)
Just finished
Benjamin Franklin: An American Life. Shapiro's biography is a fascinating overview but feels like more of a history lesson than an in-depth bio. There's plenty of details of when and where, but not as much perspective on living in the time. While Shapiro isn't a science writer, he does seem to fancy himself an expert on religious matters - for some reason, there is copious discussion of Franklin's theology, which oddly concludes that he didn't have much of a formal religious outlook. That and the odd use of modern political terms ("conservative", "trickle-down theory") to describe certain of Ben's policies make for a slightly bumpy ride -- but then again, Franklin's extensive travels and involvement in all aspects of late-18th century American life was rambunctious. All in all, great stuff.
Note - Mr. Shapiro was a fellow editor at
The Michigan Daily
Posted by netrc at December 1, 2007 11:21 AM